Why Do I Use Cannabis to Relax Every Night

This page reflects our understanding of mental health topics as of 2026. If you are reading this at a later date, some details may no longer be current, so please verify anything important against up to date sources. If you notice anything that needs updating, we would welcome you letting us know.

It started as a way to take the edge off after work. Now it is part of your nightly routine. You look forward to it through the afternoon, and evenings without it feel restless or incomplete. Falling asleep without it has become difficult. You might wonder whether it is really a problem, since cannabis is legal and many people use it, but you have noticed you rely on it more than you used to.

Many adults use cannabis occasionally without problems. When it becomes something you need every night to relax or sleep, it is worth looking at what it is doing for you and what it might be costing you.

It Could Be a Lot of Things

Stress relief. Cannabis can offer quick relief from daily stress. Over time, it can become the main way you unwind, similar to relying on alcohol to unwind.

Anxiety. Some people use cannabis to quiet anxious thoughts. In the long run, regular use can worsen anxiety for some, and some people feel more on edge on days without it.

Sleep problems. Cannabis can help some people fall asleep, but regular use can reduce sleep quality, and stopping can cause vivid dreams and poor sleep for a while. If sleep is the main reason you use, see Why Can't I Sleep Even When I'm Exhausted.

ADHD. Some adults with ADHD use cannabis to calm a restless mind, especially if they have not been diagnosed or treated.

Low mood or trauma. Cannabis can be a way to numb painful feelings or memories, which can delay getting support.

Habit. Over time, the routine itself becomes a cue, so the evening feels wrong without it.

When It Looks More Like a Cannabis Use Problem

Cannabis use disorder exists on a spectrum, from mild to severe. Research suggests a significant minority of people who use cannabis regularly develop problems with it. Signs include:

• Using more or for longer than intended, or finding it hard to cut back, a pattern also seen when people drink more than they planned to.
• Strong cravings or feeling irritable, anxious, or restless without it.
• Trouble sleeping or low appetite when you stop.
• Needing more to get the same effect.
• Use affecting work, relationships, motivation, or memory.
• Giving up activities you used to enjoy.

Canada's Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines suggest limiting frequency, choosing lower-THC products, and avoiding use when driving. People with a personal or family history of psychosis are advised to avoid cannabis, as high-THC products can increase risk.

What Can Help

• Track your use. Note when, how much, and why you use, to see patterns.
• Build other ways to unwind. Exercise, hobbies, baths, and time with others can replace some of what cannabis provides.
• Try cannabis-free nights. Starting with a few nights a week can show you how you feel without it.
• Expect withdrawal. Irritability, poor sleep, and vivid dreams are common for a week or two after stopping, and they pass.
• Address the underlying issue. Treating anxiety, sleep problems, or ADHD directly can reduce the pull to use.

Getting Support at Pacific Maple Psych Centre

If you rely on cannabis to relax or sleep, therapy can help without judgement. Support can address the stress, anxiety, sleep difficulties, or other concerns underneath, and help you build a plan that fits your goals, whether that is cutting back or stopping.